Oxybuprocaine also known as benoxinate or BNX, is the name of a local anesthetic

Local anesthetic

A local anesthetic is a drug that causes reversible local anesthesia, generally for the aim of having local analgesic effect, that is, inducing absence of pain sensation, although other local senses are often affected as well...

, which is used especially in ophthalmology

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...

 and otolaryngology

Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....

. Oxybuprocaine is sold by Novartis

Novartis

Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...

 under the brand names Novesine or Novesin.

Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

Surgical use

• In ophthalmology
  Ophthalmology
  Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
  
   in order to numb the surface of the eye
  Human eye
  The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
  
   (the outermost layers of the cornea
  Cornea
  The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is...
  
   and conjunctiva
  Conjunctiva
  The conjunctiva covers the sclera and lines the inside of the eyelids. It is composed of rare stratified columnar epithelium.-Function:...
  
  ) for the following purposes:
  • In order to perform a contact/applanation tonometry
    Tonometry
    Tonometry is the procedure eye care professionals perform to determine the intraocular pressure , the fluid pressure inside the eye. It is an important test in the evaluation of patients at risk from glaucoma...
    
    .
  • In order to remove small foreign objects from the uppermost layer of the cornea or conjunctiva.
• In otolaryngology
  Otolaryngology
  Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
  
   for numbing the mucous membrane
  Mucous membrane
  The mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
  
  s of the nostrils.

Adverse effects

Oxybuprocaine like any other topical anesthetic used in the eye (like for example tetracaine

Tetracaine

Tetracaine is a potent local anesthetic of the ester group...

, proxymetacaine

Proxymetacaine

Proxymetacaine or proparacaine is a topical anesthetic drug of the aminoester group.-Indications and usage:Proxymetacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is indicated for procedures such as tonometry, gonioscopy, removal of foreign bodies, or other similar procedures requiring topical...

 and proparacaine) can cause irreversible corneal damage and even complete destruction of the cornea when used excessively (excessive use means several times a day during several days or even weeks).